Barber Gets Emotional in Giants' Victory

BARRY WILNER

Published 8:00 pm, Friday, December 27, 2002

AP Football Writer

As he saw Matt Bryant's field goal lift the New York Giants into the playoffs, Tiki Barber could have cried. So he did.

The Giants' star running back, who ran for a career-best 203 yards and had 73 yards on eight receptions, also fumbled four times Saturday, losing three. His bobbles kept the Giants from running away from the Philadelphia Eagles, and they needed Bryant's 39-yard field goal in overtime for a 10-7 victory.

As the ball sailed through the uprights, giving New York (10-6) an NFC wild-card berth, Barber sat on the bench and let the tears flow.

"With the gamut of emotions I went through, it's amazing I didn't have a mental breakdown on the sidelines," Barber said. "I just collapsed on the bench and cried. I usually don't really let that get to me.

"I stand up for myself, and I would have had to deal with it. I think I'm man enough to admit it. But we came through at the end and the guys supported me."

As if they had any choice. While Jeremy Shockey had 10 receptions for 98 yards and New York's only touchdown _ a 7-yarder to tie the game with 8:08 left in regulation _ Barber was the Giants' main weapon. He carried the ball 12 times in the first half for 44 yards, 14 for 132 in the second half, and six for 27 in overtime after Shaun Williams' interception set up the winning drive.

Barber touched the ball on every Giants offensive play in overtime and six times on the 80-yard drive that tied the game.

But he also lost the ball at the Philadelphia 4 in the second quarter when he slipped before taking a handoff from Kerry Collins, then had the ball stripped by Levon Kirkland.

Barber's second lost fumble came on the opening drive of the third quarter, with Kirkland recovering. The Eagles failed to capitalize on either.

When Brian Dawkins knocked the ball out of Barber's grasp at the Giants 26 with 4:34 remaining, it looked as if his iron hands would cost the Giants' entry into postseason Saturday.

But Pro Bowl kicker David Akers was wide right on a 35-yard field goal with 1:12 to go.

When the Giants got the ball in the extra period, there was no hesitation who would carry it.

"That guy is not going to go in the tank no matter what happens," Collins said. "The guy is a fighter and a warrior."

Barber, who ran for a career-high 1,387 yards this season and surpassed 4,000 career yards Saturday, was grateful for the confidence displayed by his teammates and coaches. And even though he botched a handoff from Collins in OT _ Barber dived on the ball in the backfield two plays before Bryant's decisive kick _ he came out a winner.

"I was trying too hard at times," Barber said. "That usually happens when I fumble. I was trying too hard to make a play, trying to make up for one (fumble) and all of a sudden it comes out again.

"They said, `We'll keep riding you.' This is a lesson in perseverance and never give up. I could have gone in the tank and I didn't."